By the time I wake up, the sun has already set, and the crimson sunset is casting its light into the room.
I sit up, still feeling a bit heavy, and sit on the edge of the bed. The cheap bed creaks, and I hear faint sounds, like footsteps, from somewhere.
“…Did I wake you up? Sorry.”
I turn my face towards the voice, and Eve, who was about to open the door, turns back and apologizes.
“No… It’s fine. Are you going somewhere?”
“Yeah. I’m going shopping for dinner. It’s cheaper at this time.”
I notice Eve carrying a handmade shopping bag in one hand. It seems she was just about to go shopping.
Rafine and Leti are not in the room.
Leti went to the [Reconstruction Area] in the morning for a request and hasn’t returned yet. Rafine said, “It’s my first payday, so I’m going shopping!” and left cheerfully in the morning. When I asked what she was going to buy, she started talking excitedly about “clothes that would look good on Shishou Jirei” and “children’s clothes,” so I stopped asking. Children’s clothes? Who is she planning to give them to…?
Both Eve and Rafine have the day off today. When their holidays overlap, this is usually how everyone ends up, either within my sight or in my room.
…But seriously, why are you two practically camping out in my room even though you have your own? The population density is overwhelming in this single room. It’s too crowded and suffocating. Sometimes when I wake up, there are four of us, including me, lying on the bed.
“Do you want anything to eat?”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to make food for me.”
“I’m making it because I want to.”
“…Well, if that’s the case, then it’s fine.”
Lately, Rafine or Eve has been cooking for me. I understand that they’re doing it out of kindness, but I feel somewhat guilty because I can’t repay them with anything.
They both say, “I’m just happy you eat it,” but I feel slightly uncomfortable. I don’t know how to help them, and I can’t cook or help with other household chores. I can’t even attempt the outrageous act of washing women’s underwear. At most, I can do the dishes, but even that is usually done by the time I finish eating. I haven’t done anything.
I decided to understand and face their kindness. However, despite being able to understand magic and swordsmanship with effort, I’m just spinning my wheels on this matter. Honestly, I don’t know what to do.
“…Sorry.”
I mutter quietly, and Eve stares at me expressionlessly for a moment, then approaches and sits down beside me with a soft plop.
“Ray, do you like me?”
And suddenly, she asked me that. I stuttered, “W-Why are you asking all of a sudden?”
“I like you. In a romantic way. But you don’t like me that much, right?”
“I think I’m more liked than Lafine,” Eve added.
“…It’s not like that.”
I was about to say there was nothing like that, but I stopped myself. I thought it would be a lie as long as I didn’t understand the feelings I had for Eve and the others.
I felt a warm weight on my left arm. Eve leaned her head lightly against my shoulder.
“But it’s okay. I’m happy just being able to be together with someone important. So I don’t mind anything, and you don’t have to thank me… Of course, I’d be happy if you did.”
Leaning on my shoulder, Eve squinted contentedly.
“And… just knowing that you’ve thought about me a little makes me happy.”
Eve smiled, a small smile forming on her lips.
“…I see.” I responded briefly and turned my gaze out the window.
…I felt a little envious.
Could there be someone important to me, someone I could confidently call that?
Family, lover… I couldn’t think of anyone I’d want to protect no matter what.
I’ve been alone since I can remember.
I don’t even know what my parents look like. Interactions with villagers were superficial, and when I went to ask for food to survive, they threw rotten leftovers at me. Every day was spent alone, in the dark cellar, studying books and honing my magic and sword skills to become a hero.
I didn’t think it was miserable. It was normal and everyday life for me.
So, I’ve never expected anything from people. I’m me, and everyone else is someone else.
And yet, the current me–
“…”
I was bewildered by my own changes. A mixture of positive and negative feelings that I couldn’t have imagined a little while ago.
A warm sensation gradually spread in my chest, accompanied by an unbearable nausea.
“Ray.”
Eve presented something in front of me. It was a cute cup. I took it, filled with transparent water, and quietly drank it. It felt like something washed away.
Returning the empty cup to Eve, I thanked her.
“That helped. Thanks.”
“Are you still feeling unwell?”
“N-no, I’m fine. It’s not like I’ve relapsed with a cold or anything.”
“…I see.”
Without changing her expression, Eve sighed softly, resting her hand on her chest.
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“If anything happens, let me know. You tend to overdo things.”
“Do I seem like that? It’s not intentional.”
“You do. Since forever, you’ve tried to bear everything alone. It worries me.”
“…Rafine said the same thing.”
Puffing her cheeks slightly in dissatisfaction, Eve said,
“I’m not asking you to change… but if you could rely on others a little more, that would be nice.”
I remained silent for a few seconds before replying, “…I’ll think about it.” Eve stood up, saying, “Well, it’s almost time for the time sale,” and straightened her shopping bag.
“Look forward to dinner. …Oh, and–“
Before leaving in a flutter, she paused and turned back.
“About Leti. I thought I should mention it.”
“Leti…?”
“Yeah, about Leti.” Eve nodded and met my eyes.
“We’ve spent time together in the same hero party, and I’ve noticed that Leti doesn’t really… ask for things.”
“…Huh?”
It was unimaginable.
The Leti who did whatever she wanted in front of me, even forcefully inviting me to join the party?
“Even if she wants something, Leti won’t buy it. She doesn’t buy her favorite snacks or food, she doesn’t buy more than she needs. Recently, she’s started to express her wishes a little more, but until you came, it wasn’t like that.”
“…But Leti was like that even when we first met in Universea.”
“So, when Leti brought you along on the Etar escort mission and I saw her being so dependent on you, I was surprised. She never showed us that side of her.”
Shocked by the unexpected truth, I was speechless.
“I thought you two were a bit similar, like half-siblings. But you’re different.”
“No… we’re not alike at all.”
“The atmosphere is different… but maybe a little in tone.”
“Is that so…?”
I don’t think I talk like such an idiot. But now that I think about it, Leti’s way of speaking is more like a boy than a girl, with a few similarities.
“It seems to me like Leti’s forcing herself in various ways.”
“… “
I couldn’t just laugh it off as my imagination. Over the past few days, I’d witnessed Leti’s discomfort multiple times.
“I want you to keep an eye on her. It’s probably something only you, Ray, can do.”
Eve gently touched her right arm with her left hand and looked up at me.
A gaze mixed with self-doubt and trust in me.
For a moment, a cunning idea crossed my mind. If I agreed now, I’d have a reason. I could just go with the flow and choose the easy path.
The words of agreement almost escaped my throat. “Because I’m free,” “I have no choice,” I was about to say, but at the last moment, my voice choked, and I swallowed the words.
I didn’t know why. But this time, choosing that seemed different somehow.
“… “
So, instead of answering, I just turned my face away.
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